RE: 2013 Nissan GT-R: now even more so

Friday 2nd November 2012

2013 Nissan GT-R: now even more so

Godzilla's been to the gym and come back even fitter than before

Given the relentless tweaking and pace of upgrades to the GT-R you might expect it now to boast 2,000hp and be lapping the 'ring in less than five minutes. Mizuno-san isn't quite there yet but the announcement of a package of upgrades for the 2013 Nissan GT-R tallies with our chat earlier in the year with the man known as Mr GT-R.

Mizuno-san: better at engineering than drawing

Via his preferred method of Rolf Harris-style whiteboard doodlings, he outlined to us a step-by-step programme of updates for the GT-R after we drove out to the 'ring 24-hour race in the Track Pack equipped car to watch its racing brethren take on the world's toughest endurance race. They competed in that race as the 'GT-R Development Team' and the fruits of that labour have now been confirmed in a package of upgrades that'll feature on customer cars from spring next year.

There's no headline grabbing power boost or, indeed, another few seconds off the GT-R's 'ring lap to further annoy Porsche. Yet. What the lessons learned from the 'ring mean are, in Nissan's words, subtle - and that's not a word you often hear associated with the GT-R - enhancements to improve responsiveness in the drivetrain and composure in the chassis. The exact changes are listed below verbatim from the Nissan press release but it's clear that in the face of freshened up competition from Porsche and Audi the GT-R isn't standing still.

There aren't any numbers yet in terms of performance or indeed price alterations, Nissan promising more information in due course. Probably once they've bagged that all-important 'ring lap, at a guess...

Lessons learned racing now applied

2013 Nissan GT-R upgrades, as described in the press release:

Engine

New high-output injectors more concisely control fuel injection to improve mid-range and high-rpm response.

A new relief valve for the turbocharger bypass suppresses the rapid decrease of forced injection pressure, again helping to sustain response.

After measuring the roll centre of the GT-R when cornering and taking deflection of the bushes and tyres into account, engineers have updated the suspension set-up with revisions to the dampers, springs and front anti-roll bar to lower the centre of gravity.

New cam bolts have been installed on the front suspension to improve camber accuracy and stability when cornering.

The torque carrying capacity of the driveshafts to the hub bearings has been increased to improve reliability in high-stress situations, such as track driving.

Body

Reinforcements have been added to the dash panel bar and instrument panel member resulting in increased body rigidity and better suspension control.